Follow the author of this article

1. Celebrate July 4

Americans worldwide will be celebrating their independence this weekend, and there are options in Britain too. At Bath’s American Museum, for example, there’s an Independence Day BBQ, with a Fifties and Sixties rock theme, on Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday there will be a series of fun, family-friendly military drills and displays, with children given the chance to join in. There are also events at US-themed restaurants in the capital, such as Balthazar in Covent Garden and The Lockhart, near Marble Arch.

2. Watch Wimbledon on a big screen

Haven’t got tickets and can’t face The Queue? Dozens of outdoor screens have been set up for those wanting to watch Wimbledon in the sunshine, including those at Lewis Cubitt Square, The Scoop at More London and One New Change in the capital, Media City in Salford, Millennium Square in Leeds, Tennis Plaza in Liverpool and Cabot Circus in Bristol. See our guide for more options.

3. Admire an icon

New at the National Portrait Gallery is Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon, featuring an extraordinary array of both lesser-known and famous images. “The Belgian-born, British-American film star’s period of posthumous, second-time-around fame probably peaked some time ago,” says The Telegraph’s Mark Hudson. “Not that you’d know that from this exhibition, which looks set to trigger a whole new wave of Audrey-mania.”

4. See Damon Albarn's new musical in Manchester

The Manchester International Festival began on Thursday, showcasing dance, theatre and musical performances from both established and underground artists and acts. This weekend’s highlights include wonder.land, a musical by Blur frontman Damon Albarn (July 2-12 at the Palace Theatre), and The Age of Starlight, presented by Professor Brian Cox, for children aged 11 to 16 (July 5). Throughout the event, which runs until July 19, visitors to Festival Square can watch live music and enjoy food and drink.

5. Give the QM2 a send-off in Liverpool

On Saturday, exactly 175 years after Cunard’s first transatlantic sailing, the cruise line will be hosting a knees-up in Liverpool. There will be two concerts at the city’s Anglican Cathedral, featuring performances from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, along with talks on the company’s heritage by the likes of Lord Prescott, Carol Thatcher and Michael Buerk. The Queen Mary 2 liner then departs for a voyage to Halifax, Nova Scotia – a recreation of the first crossing and the first Cunard departure from Liverpool since 1968.

6. Sup Pimm’s at the Henley Regatta

“The ultimate Edwardian-style season event on the Thames, with some rowing,” is how Telegraph Travel’s Sophie Campbell describes this annual riverside jolly.

“The Henley Royal Regatta is the most identifiably Edwardian of the season events, and takes place on both banks of the river in Henley-on-Thames,” she adds. “It features knockout races, two boats at a time, with sometimes more than 90 races a day. The men get much of the sartorial attention: oarsmen past and present sport dazzling blazers, outrageous socks and club ties.”

7. Go for a bike ride

With the Tour de France beginning on Saturday, featuring an impressive 10 British riders, be inspired to dust off your Dawes Galaxy and head for one of the country’s most picturesque cycling spots. Those in the north of England are spoilt for choice, with the Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors all offering wonderful scenery.

9. Head to the seaside

A poll by Travelodge has suggested that British children are clueless when it comes to locating famous British seaside resorts on a map, with many thinking Newquay is in America and Skegness in the Scottish Highlands. Even their parents would have trouble locating Telegraph Travel’s 20 favourite secret beaches. Head to one this weekend to enjoy sun, sea – and solitude.

10. Smell the roses at the Hampton Court Flower Show

Organisers are putting on quite a spectacle to ensure visitors are suitably wowed on the 25th anniversary of the world’s largest annual flower show. Incredible floral displays will be found throughout the grounds - the rose marquee is expected to prove particularly popular - and various experts will be on hand to guide aspiring gardeners in their efforts to create their own green havens at home.

11. Listen to the Poet Laureate in Winchester

The Winchester Festival begins on Friday and features a strong line-up of music, literature and art, starting with an opening concert at the city’s cathedral and continuing with an evening of poetry with Dame Carol Ann Duffy, the Poet Laureate, at the Theatre Royal on Saturday.

12. See the new Serpentine Pavilion

The annual unveiling of the Serpentine’s temporary pavilion is another welcome sign that the London summer season is fully up and running. This time Spanish architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano are the team behind the design - an effervescent, candy-coloured tunnel - that drew inspiration from an unlikely source: the London Underground. Speaking to the Telegraph about their intentions, the designers said: “We like the way the Underground brings everyone together…We wanted to bring that feeling here, so we’ve created a very open space with lots of entry points and it’s up to you to find your corner.” You can learn more about their intentions, and see the pavilion for yourself, in our video.

13. Gawp at Channing Tatum – or remember Amy Winehouse

This week’s two big cinema releases are Magic Mike XXL, featuring Channing Tatum as a male stripper, and Amy, a documentary about the singer Amy Winehouse’s rise and tragic fall.

The Telegraph’s Tim Robey describes the former as “sexier, funnier and soapier than the original” and “the gayest straight film ever made”. The latter is a “piercingly sad” film, says Robbie Collin, that will “make you newly angry about losing Winehouse so early – before albums three, four, five and more, before the lifetime achievement awards and glittering retrospectives.”

15. Sink a few frozen cocktails

What’s the one thing better than a cocktail in the sunshine? A frozen cocktail, of course. With temperatures soaring in London, we all need a bit of boozy refreshment. From frozen margaritas to Indian-inspired milkshakes, here are London’s best frozen delights.

16. Reacquaint yourself with an old friend called television

Has the heatwave left you feeling light-headed? Need a little sit down? Then you’re in luck. This weekend features a feast of sport on the box, including the aforementioned Wimbledon, British Grand Prix and Tour de France, as well as the final of the Women’s Football World Cup, the Copa America final, plus some cracking films including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Channel 5, Saturday, 325pm), Despicable Me (ITV2, Saturday, 505pm) and the Julie Christie version of Far From the Madding Crowd (BBC Four, Sunday, 10pm).

Best of the rest

Nothing there take your fancy? This weekend will also feature the 53rd Lord Birkett Trophy, a major sailing event at Ullswater, Cumbria (July 4/5); Stratford-upon-Avon’s annual River Festival (July 4/5), Blissfields music festival in Hampshire (July 3/4) and The Calling music festival on Clapham Common (July 4).